Irish culture, Manners, Etiquette and Politeness
Irish people have the reputation of being very friendly and easy-going. Small talk is an important part of everyday life even among strangers. Being polite is also very important: people use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ often and they use indirect ways to ask for something. E.g.: ‘I was wondering if you could open the window, please?’ instead of ‘Open the window’.
If you make eye contact with a stranger on the street it is considered polite to acknowledge them in some way, for example by saying hello, nodding your head or smiling, look away quickly of the person may think you are flirting. If you are driving in the countryside it is normal to wave or salute at a passing pedestrian or driver. While walking in the countryside it is common to greet someone you encounter.
Irish humor is also famous. They often use sarcasm and tease each other but they mean no harm. At first it can be difficult to understand these jokes and they might confuse you but in time you will learn to understand them.
When Irish people meet they shake hands. Friends will hug or just say hello and ask how you are. Sometimes people will kiss on the cheek if they know each other well. Otherwise people don’t have much body contact and many may feel uncomfortable if you don’t give them enough personal space. If you accidentally touch someone, you should say ‘sorry’ or ‘excuse me’. It is impolite to stare at someone. However, people, both men and women alike, keep eye contact when they talk to each other and it is a sign of trust and that you are interested in what they are saying. If someone avoids eye contact it is generally interpreted negatively; for example they might think the person who avoids eye contact is lying, has something to hide or is not interested. To get someone’s attention it is more common for people to say ‘sorry’ instead of excuse me or pardon. It is polite to hold a door open for someone rather than let it close in their
face. If someone holds a door for you, you should always say ‘thank you’.
Time keeping is not very strict in Ireland and people often arrive 10-15 minutes late. However, if you have an important meeting, for example an appointment at a doctor, job interview or meeting at your work, you should be punctual!
Pub culture is central in Irish culture. Pubs (public houses) are not only about drinking: They have a long history and it is a place to socialize, to meet and to make friends. Many pubs serve also food, show sports games and they often have live bands playing traditional Irish music (generally no admission fee). All kinds of people visit pubs: young and old, men,women, children (with their parents) and from any social class. Although people commonly drink alcohol in pubs, you can have non-alcoholic drinks too, such as coffee or tea. When someone invites you to a pub, it is common for him/her to pay for the first round of drinks but you should order and pay for the next round. The drinking age in Ireland is 18 years and above.
In restaurants it is considered rude to get the attention of staff members with gestures such as snapping your fingers, try to make eye contact and/or say sorry or excuse me. In shops, on buses or in any other business it is polite to say ‘hello’, ‘good morning’, ‘good bye’, ‘thanks you’ etc. to staff as you enter or leave the building/bus etc. In supermarkets you generally pack your own groceries but the shop assistant may help you. Queuing is normal in all situations; even in pubs it is polite to allow anyone who was at the bar before you to order first.
If you visit someone’s house you will usually be offered a cup of tea or coffee and maybe a snack. It is generally impolite to accept on the first offer, if you are offered a second time it may be considered impolite not to accept something, even just a glass of water. If you are invited to someone’s house for dinner it is polite to bring something such as a box of chocolate or a bottle of wine for the host.
In Irish culture you must treat women with the same respect as men; any cultural comments made above apply equally to both men and to women.
These sites are useful for getting more information about Irish culture:
Irish people have the reputation of being very friendly and easy-going. Small talk is an important part of everyday life even among strangers. Being polite is also very important: people use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ often and they use indirect ways to ask for something. E.g.: ‘I was wondering if you could open the window, please?’ instead of ‘Open the window’.
If you make eye contact with a stranger on the street it is considered polite to acknowledge them in some way, for example by saying hello, nodding your head or smiling, look away quickly of the person may think you are flirting. If you are driving in the countryside it is normal to wave or salute at a passing pedestrian or driver. While walking in the countryside it is common to greet someone you encounter.
Irish humor is also famous. They often use sarcasm and tease each other but they mean no harm. At first it can be difficult to understand these jokes and they might confuse you but in time you will learn to understand them.
When Irish people meet they shake hands. Friends will hug or just say hello and ask how you are. Sometimes people will kiss on the cheek if they know each other well. Otherwise people don’t have much body contact and many may feel uncomfortable if you don’t give them enough personal space. If you accidentally touch someone, you should say ‘sorry’ or ‘excuse me’. It is impolite to stare at someone. However, people, both men and women alike, keep eye contact when they talk to each other and it is a sign of trust and that you are interested in what they are saying. If someone avoids eye contact it is generally interpreted negatively; for example they might think the person who avoids eye contact is lying, has something to hide or is not interested. To get someone’s attention it is more common for people to say ‘sorry’ instead of excuse me or pardon. It is polite to hold a door open for someone rather than let it close in their
face. If someone holds a door for you, you should always say ‘thank you’.
Time keeping is not very strict in Ireland and people often arrive 10-15 minutes late. However, if you have an important meeting, for example an appointment at a doctor, job interview or meeting at your work, you should be punctual!
Pub culture is central in Irish culture. Pubs (public houses) are not only about drinking: They have a long history and it is a place to socialize, to meet and to make friends. Many pubs serve also food, show sports games and they often have live bands playing traditional Irish music (generally no admission fee). All kinds of people visit pubs: young and old, men,women, children (with their parents) and from any social class. Although people commonly drink alcohol in pubs, you can have non-alcoholic drinks too, such as coffee or tea. When someone invites you to a pub, it is common for him/her to pay for the first round of drinks but you should order and pay for the next round. The drinking age in Ireland is 18 years and above.
In restaurants it is considered rude to get the attention of staff members with gestures such as snapping your fingers, try to make eye contact and/or say sorry or excuse me. In shops, on buses or in any other business it is polite to say ‘hello’, ‘good morning’, ‘good bye’, ‘thanks you’ etc. to staff as you enter or leave the building/bus etc. In supermarkets you generally pack your own groceries but the shop assistant may help you. Queuing is normal in all situations; even in pubs it is polite to allow anyone who was at the bar before you to order first.
If you visit someone’s house you will usually be offered a cup of tea or coffee and maybe a snack. It is generally impolite to accept on the first offer, if you are offered a second time it may be considered impolite not to accept something, even just a glass of water. If you are invited to someone’s house for dinner it is polite to bring something such as a box of chocolate or a bottle of wine for the host.
In Irish culture you must treat women with the same respect as men; any cultural comments made above apply equally to both men and to women.
These sites are useful for getting more information about Irish culture:
- http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/
- http://www.irishculture.ie/